USPS 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
We all blinked and that’s it, it’s that time of year again! With cooler weather and puffy jackets on the way, the USPS isn’t wasting any time announcing a 2022 deadline for holiday shipping. If you want your package (or mail) to arrive by December 25th, these dates represent the shipping deadline. We’ve listed below each deadline for each domestic and international USPS service:
USPS 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Housekeeping
- USPS Retail Ground Service to APO/FPO/DPO Destinations (All ZIP Codes): November 6
- Priority Mail and First Class Mail to APO/FPO/DPO (all zip codes): December 9
- USPS Retail Ground/Parcel Select Ground: December 15
- Priority Mail Express provides military service to all APO/FPO/DPO destinations (except ZIP code 093): December 16
- first class mail (including greeting cards and postcards): December 17
- First Class Package: December 17
- Priority Mail: December 18
- Priority Mail Express*: December 23
Learn more about shipping to military addresses.
Alaska
The following dates apply to mail and packages to and from Alaska and the continental United States:
- first class mail: December 17
- Priority Mail: December 17
- Priority Mail Express: December 21
- retail/package options: December 2
hawaii
The following dates apply to mail and packages to and from Alaska and the mainland (Continental United States):
- first class mail: December 17
- Priority Mail: December 17
- Priority Mail Express: December 21
- retail/package options: Not applicable
Regarding Priority Mail Express service, please note this USPS disclaimer:
*Not a guarantee unless otherwise stated. The estimated delivery date is before December 25th. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, post office acceptance date and time, and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed between December 22 and December 25, the money-back guarantee only applies if the shipment does not arrive or attempt to arrive within two business days.
Deadline for Shipping to Military Addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)
Below are deadlines for shipping to and from military addresses listed by military ZIP code.
AE Postcode 090-092
- First Class Mail (Letters and Cards): December 9
- Priority Mail: December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Services: December 16
- retail/package options: November 5
AE Postcode 093
- First Class Mail (Letters and Cards): December 9
- Priority Mail: December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Services: Not applicable
- retail/package options: November 5
AE Postcode 094-099
- First Class Mail (Letters and Cards): December 9
- Priority Mail: December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Services: December 16
- retail/package options: November 5
AE Postcode 340
- First Class Mail (Letters and Cards): December 9
- Priority Mail: December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Services: December 16
- retail/package options: November 5
AE Postal Code 962-966
- First Class Mail (Letters and Cards): December 9
- Priority Mail: December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Services: December 16
- retail/package options: November 5
International parcel
Africa/Central and South America
- First Class International Package: November 29
- International Priority Mail: November 29
- Priority Mail Express International: December 6
- Worldwide Express Guarantee: December 20
Asia/Pacific Rim/Australia/New Zealand/Middle East
- First Class International Package: December 6
- International Priority Mail: December 6
- Priority Mail Express International: December 13
- Worldwide Express Guarantee: December 20
Canada/Mexico
- First Class International Package: December 6
- International Priority Mail: December 6
- Priority Mail Express International: December 13
- Worldwide Express Guarantee: December 22
Caribbean/Europe
- First Class International Package: December 6
- International Priority Mail: December 6
- Priority Mail Express International: December 13
- Worldwide Express Guarantee: December 21
Ships before deadline for safety
In our experience, the holiday shipping season gets crazier every year, and as online shopping continues to grow, the number of packages will only increase. All major shipping carriers always see volume surges around the holidays, and even if you ship by these deadlines, it’s still possible that USPS won’t deliver your package on time.Therefore, if you are shipping with USPS, we recommend shipping your package forward If you want to make sure your package arrives on or before December 25th, we have the deadlines listed above. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
